What is likeness detection?
Likeness detection is a YouTube feature that finds videos matching a person’s face, including AI-generated deepfakes, so that the person can request removal. Since April 2026 it has been open to talent agencies, management companies and the talent they represent.
Also known as: YouTube likeness detection, Deepfake detection, 肖像检测
Likeness detection works much like YouTube’s Content ID, but it matches a person’s face rather than a work: it looks for AI-generated content with a participant’s likeness, such as a deepfake of their face.1 A video that matches the person’s face can then be reported with a likeness removal request under YouTube’s privacy policy, or with a copyright removal request where it uses the person’s copyrighted work.2 In Chinese it is called 肖像检测 (xiàoxiàng jiǎncè).
Who can use likeness detection, on what conditions, and what else a celebrity can do when AI copies their face or voice are set out on Celebrities & artists.
Further reading
- Social media and personal brand management for celebrities: Celebrities & artists
Notes
- Expanding likeness detection to the entertainment industry
- Likeness detection on YouTube